Catherine Davis has passion for life and community. Davis’ adventurous spirit has lead to service trips across the country, with Florida Alternative Breaks, and making over local elementary schools with an organization called Project Makeover. Her connection to people around the world and locally is a precursor to the life she hopes to live after graduating. For now though, she’s determined to continue to help the community in any way possible.
HC: How would you describe yourself?
CD: Positive, organized and loyal.
HC: What is Florida Alternative Breaks, or FAB?
CD: It’s a student-run organization here on campus that sends out service trips over UF’s breaks, both domestic and international. Each trip centers around a pressing social issue, such as Civil Rights, Environmental Preservation, Food Security, and many more! Our trips emphasize service, education and reflection, with the goal of creating a society of active citizens. FAB trips are lead by UF students and are open to any and all UF students!! More info can be found at the FAB website.
HC: How did you become involved with FAB?
CD: A friend of mine knew that I was passionate about service, and suggested I attend [the] annual FAB Issue Fair, where trips for the upcoming year [are revealed]. While there, I signed up for a Migrant Worker’s Rights trip and my love for FAB has only grown from there!
HC: Has the organization affected you personally?
CD: Most of what I’ve learned in college has come not from my classes but on FAB trips. The communities and the people that we partner with have taught me so much about what it means to be an active citizen and all the work that has to be done in this world. One of the main reasons FAB is so great is that it brings people together from all across campus, and I am so thankful for all of the incredible fellow FABers I have met and everything I have learned from them as well. We’ve got some pretty amazing people at UF!
HC: You’re also involved with an organization called Project Makeover, that goes into local Alachua elementary schools and makes them over. Ddo you think that this is important more than ever today? How do you think it affects the students there?
CD: It is so important that schools are places that students want to come to. What Project Makeover hopes to do is create a more dynamic and engaging learning environment where students can’t wait to come learn every day. With the help of about 1,000 volunteers, we paint interactive murals, landscape, fulfill a Dream Project requested by the school, and more. By doing this, we hope to bring the UF campus and Alachua County community together to change the face of public education. I hope that the students do really love going to school when they see what a wonderful place it can be with the help of a few hammers and paintbrushes.
HC: As Project Captain Coordinator this year what do you hope to bring to the event?
CD: I hope to bring passion and positivity to Makeover Weekend this year! It’s [impossible] to accomplish everything in one weekend, so I think it’s important to think about the end result and how much it could positively impact the learning process for our amazing local elementary students!
HC: How can students get involved?
CD: Project Captain applications open, September 19th! Throughout the weekend, Captains are responsible for coordinating and overseeing the volunteer groups that come out. Makeover weekend would truly not be possible without all of our awesome PM Captains! Of course, we are also always in need of volunteers during Makeover Weekend, February 24th-26th, 2017! Check out our Facebook page to keep updated.
HC: Do you have any tips for young women, who would like to become involved in any type of meaningful organization?
CD:Just go for it! You never know what can happen if you apply. As Michael Scott/Wayne Gretzky says, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” There were definitely times that I didn’t think I would get the position but applied anyways, and I am so thankful that I did! As long as you are passionate and genuine, any organization would be lucky to have you.
Photo Credits: Catherine Davis